Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Q: What is purpose of this form of drug?
A: Help relieve depression symptoms – irritability, sadness. Can also be used for anxiety disorders and nerve pain (and long-term chronic pain). If you have both depression AND chronic pain, then SNRIs by be helpful. Effective in treating depression.
Q: How do SNRIs work?
A: Block the reabsorption (reuptake) of the neurotransmitter Serontonin and Norepinephrine in the brain.
Q: What drugs approved by FDA for SNRI? Additional URL info through www.drugs.com:
A: Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
A: Duloextine (Cymbalta). This is also approved to treat anxiety and certain types of chronic pain
A: Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
A: Venlafaxine (Effexor XR). This is also approved to treat certain anxiety disorders and panic disorder.
Q: What kinds of side effects and cautions?
A: All SNRIs work same way, but if you can’t tolerate one, try a different one. Side effects could be non or mild and usually go away after a couple weeks. To reduce nausea, take with food.
A: Some common side effects are nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, excessive sweating.
A: Other possible side effects are tiredness, constipation, insomnia, changes in sexual function – reduced sexual desire, difficulty reaching orgasm or the inability to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction), and loss of appetite.
Q: What are some safety issues?
A: Venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, levomilnacipran may raise blood pressure.
A: Duloxetine may worsen liver problems.
A: Same issues as SSRI’s regarding bleeding and tell MD about herbal drugs. OTC drugs that increase risk of bleeding – Advil, Motrin IB, Aspirin, Warfarin (Coumadin), and other blook thinners.
A: Same as SSRI re: Serotonin Syndrom.
A: Same as SSRI re: Pregnancy.
A: Same as SSRI for Suicide Risk.
A: Same as SSRI for Stopping treatment – too quickly
A: Same as SSRI for finding the right antidepressant